John S. Davis' Obituary
Was born on 16 May 1930 in New Orleans, Louisiana and died in his home in Lakewood, Washington on 15 August 2006 surrounded by his four children, after a brave battle with lung cancer. John was married for 53 years to his lifelong friend and love, Mary Helen Balcke Davis, who preceded him in death in November 2004. He is a retired Colonel in the United States Air Force and is the son of Louie and Lizzie Davis. John is survived by his big sister, Mabel Hofreiter of Bartonville, Illinois.Mary and John are the wonderful parents of Greg, Jim, Laura and Bill, and grandparents of Patrick, Mary, Pete, Julia, Jill, Lisa, Steve and Ray. John and Mary met in Pekin, Illinois where they attended high school and both graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. John and Mary spent an exciting life together, living in places around the world as a U.S. Air Force family, including assignments in Japan, Germany, and many U.S. bases prior to their final assignment at McChord AFB in Tacoma, Washington. John was a fighter pilot and trained on the F86 which he flew in Japan, and he flew 186 combat missions in Vietnam in the F4 Phantom II, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and Oak Leaf Cluster. He was the consummate Air Force officer and loved flying and the Air Force Life. John and Mary were active members of the Tacoma Golf and Country Club and had countless great times with the terrific people there. John was an excellent trumpet player in his early years and played professionally prior to joining the military. After retirement from the Air Force he worked for the Department of Transportation and was President of the Clover Park District School Board. He had many interests including golf, music, fly fishing and politics, but most of all traveling and sharing his life with his dear wife Mary.A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, 2 September 2006 at the Henderson Funeral Home, 420 Walnut St. in Pekin, Illinois.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in the name of John S. Davis to the Franciscan Hospice, 2901 Bridgeport Way W, University Place, Washington 98466.
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